Gao Shilian

Gao Shilian (576-14 February 647) was Chancellor of Tang China from 626 to 627 and from 638 to 647. He was the father-in-law of the future Emperor Taizong of Tang, and he served him as a senior advisor.

Biography
Gao Shilian was born in Jing County, Hebei, China in 576 to the imperial family of Northern Qi, and he was well-educated before becoming a junior official of the Sui dynasty. In 613, impressed with the young Li Shimin, Gao Shilian offered his daughter in marriage to him. In 614, he fell from grace due to his friendship with one of the rebel Yang Xuangan's officers, but he pledged allegiance to Xiao Xi after he overthrew the Sui in an agrarian revolt in 617 AD. In 622 AD, after Xiao Xi was subdued by the emergent Tang dynasty, Gao Shilian submitted to Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Shimin's father. In 626 AD, he advised Li Shimin to act first during a power struggle with his brothers, ultimately leading to Li taking the throne as "Emperor Taizong" upon his brothers' deaths and his father's abdication. Gao Shilian served as his Chancellor from 626 to 627 and from 638 to 647, becoming Duke of Shen. He remained a loyal courtier of Emperor Taizong until his death in 649, and Taizong died tthat same year.